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Alright, so I've known for a while that Tim (G. smithii - approx. 1.25 inches) could handle himself with straw-fed brine, stomatella snails and the occasional tiny hermit, but he hadn't really had a chance yet with real prey (at least none I can confirm... I did find a claw-shall last week). Friday I lucked into a tiny, green 'rock-crab' on a new zoa-colony (definately not an emerald/mithrax crab). I was ecstatic.

I just knew the tiny crab would be a great oppurtunity for Tim to strut his stuff. Apparently so did he, for mere seconds after the new crab was placed into the tank (in the rubble-yard roughly 4" from Tim's hole) he was scoping out the new-guy (probably didn't hurt that I guided the crab to his resting place with the feeding straw).

After getting really bored watching both of them watch eachother I 'guided' the new guy closer to Tim's hole (again with the straw). Tim hid.

:|

So I went back to work on something...

About fifteen minutes after I forgot there should have been something exciting going on in the tank I caught a glimpse of Tim darting out of his hole. I tuned into the tank to watch the ensuing battle with great interest. From his movement I spotted the crab who had had the nerve to have advanced onto Tim's rock roughly 3" from his actual entrance, but in plain sight.

Kra-KOW!Splinkt!

Kra-KOW!Sprinkt!

Two great blows did Tim unleash upon the invader...

Two blows did the invader deflect...

Then the green crab actually snapped at Tim!

Snap!FOOOOSH!

He bolted.

The creature that reefers the world over fear and loathe for its destructive power fled the arena of battle... He fled from lunch and bolted straight back to his home, still hungry.

Tim hid.

The crab gloated (I could see it in his stance, he was gloating).

I sulked.

~~~EPILOGUE:

Tim killed two tiny stomatella snails later that same day. He looked to be showing off with the shells outside Fortress of Sissy-tude(TM). He was trying to show off how fearsome a hunter he is, but I could tell he wasn't even buying his performance. No matter how horribly fearsome those snails had been, I think he knew it was a pathetic show of force at best...

I have named the crab "Kryptonite," and may have to start calling Tim by his new nickname, "Clark."

my 5 year old friend was at my house when i read that post, so i read it to him...... a few days later he came back over and said "matt, when will you read me more stories about the adventures of tim?"

Apparently he wasn't feeling useless enough. Last week he decided to give up his redundant eye. I think he gave it to a tiny blue-legged hermit (who didn't feel like being lunch). In fact I think the little hermit may have actually been trained by Kryptonite and sent to remind Tim that his arch-nemesis is still alive and well.

I was panicked at first. I made a hurried plea for assistance or knowledge (what could anyone do?)... I searched online...

Meanwhile, Tim holed himself up and molted. He stayed hidden for six days this time. Truth be told, he looks silly, but dignified. He's already learned to reposition his eye more centrally and he gives off the impression that he is much more observant now.

Kryptonite is alive and well. I have seen his burrows and I know where he feeds. Even the sailfin has taken some pointers from him as he tried to shoo Tim out of "her" tank (he'll be moving back to the home tank soon - that saddens me somewhat as he is MUCH more active in this tank).

That has definetely been the most well told story of a mantis shrimp. It's made me empathize more with them. They may be harsh predators, but they have their moments of, shall I say, "becoming humbled?" I got 10 bucks on kryptonite!

Thanks all for enjoying Tim's journal. His home has been a real beehive of activity this week.

The attention given in this thread may be going straight to his head. He's started piling his used 'dishes' up at the door, as if in anticipation of me hauling them away for him so he can read the paper or something. His tastes have also become noticibly more expensive.

"What nassarius snail?"

Tim's had quite a few visitors lately too. He invited a couple sexy-looking stomatella snails in for lunch earlier today. They must be getting pretty comfy in there too; Tim put their shells out with the dishes... Must be one hell of a party. Lucky guy...

He also got a new roomie today.

Think of him as a warm-up to the next match-up against Kryptonite. He's a bit smaller though. Almost bite-sized...

I'm still trying to find the fuzzy pics of Kryptonite, but I suspect his network of ninja crustaceans have made off with any physical evidence of his existence by now...

He's still demanding room service and boy howdy can he eat; given the opportunity. That's him in the doorway belching the alphabet before cursing at me again to take away the dishes that continue to pile up... He's even pushed the bigger ones off the ledge and I know he's keeping a couple more in the hole to put out right after I do take away the main load... er... IF I were to do that, which I won't... today...

(seven sets of remains above - not counting the two husks still inside and the several knocked off last night... sheesh)

Tim's sure got Character! Those early pics you posted of him were fantastic, he is gorgeous. I always thought that the smaller (younger) a Mantis Shrimp the less color he would be. This does not appear to be the case wth Tim.

Hey all! It's been a little while, so before tonights story I'll bring everyone up to speed.

- Tim is shock resistant
- Tim is not dependant on oxygen
- Tim does not need clean water
- Tim eliminated another of Kryptonite's minions (found the claw and the partial remains - not a molt), but Kryptonite's is aparently still on the loose...
- Tim has molted three more times and enjoys the occasional shrimp pellet between expensive nassarius meals.

Now for today's real update. The following story takes place across the room from Tim's tank. While that is an enormous distance for Tim, the story does impact him in the end.

~~~
So I get home from work2 and get to see the tanks lit for about 10 minutes before the lights click off. I've been trying to locate a secretive mantis from the 20lbs of new rock that went into the new 75g tank, to start the water stewing. Anyway, so I sit down in front of the tank and immediately notice something amiss...

There is a piece of LR missing from the rubble-pile:

Not only that, but there is a very clear (and relatively deep) trail leading away from the rubble pile...

more trail (it is a 48" tank after all)...

I finally spy the rock (alright... I saw the rock first, but it just doesn't make as great a story)!

If I were Sherlock Holmes, this fellow would be whatever ridiculous villain I were up against in this tale...

This guy has gusto, that's for sure. He's no ninja-employing, sneaky, under-handed villain like Kryptonite.

He shall be known now as Strongbad.

If he and Tim can't work out peacable arrangements, I'm certain that Tim will dispatch him with honour... *GRIN*

jjrock, Dakotareef, netjackson, etc: Tim wanted me to let you all know he continues to enjoy your adoration, but does wonder why not one of you has come by to remove the 'dishes' piled up on his doorstep...